GHANA TODAY

 You will know why I am writing about this African country football team! The Ghana National Football team is named the Black Stars after the national flag's Black Star!! The team is governed by the Ghana Football Association and prior to 1957, it played known as the Gold Coast.

Ghana qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2006. It has won the African Nations Cup four times (1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982), while finishing as runners-up five times (1968, 1970, 1992, 2010, and 2015). Ghana have qualified for the CHAN (African Cup of Nations) four times, finishing as runners-up twice (2009 and 2014).

On 19 August 1962 at the Accra Sports Stadium, Ghana hosted Real Madrid, who were at the time Spanish Champions, drawing 3–3. Charles Kumi Gyamfi became coach in 1961, leading Ghana to successive African Cup of Nations titles, in 1963 and 1965. The Black Stars achieved their record win, 13–2 away to Kenya, in the latter. It reached the final of the tournament in 1968 and 1970, losing 1–0 on both occasions, to DR Congo and Sudan respectively. Its domination of the tournament earned it the nickname "the Black Stars of Africa" in the 1960s.

Fortunes changed for the Black Stars after it failed to qualify for three successive AFCON's in the 1970s. In the 1980s, with emerging talents such as Abedi Pele, the Black Stars defeated 1982 AFCON hosts Libya in the final to win its fourth continental title. Fortunes changed again, as in the 1984 tournament, it was knocked out in the group stages, before failing to qualify for the 1986, 1988 and 1990 tournaments. In 1992, the Black Stars would finish runners-up to the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw, which saw every player on the pitch take a penalty, in which they were beaten 11-10, with African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele suspended for the final.

Tensions among the squad led to the parliamentary and executive to intervene and settle issues between players Abedi Pele and Toby Yeboah. In the 1990s, this may have played some part in the failure of the team to build on the successes of the national underage teams. The generation of Black Stars players who went to the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship final became the "core" of the team at the 2002 African Cup of Nations, going undefeated for a year in 2005 and qualifying for the final tournament of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars started by succumbing to a 2–0 defeat to eventual champions Italy, and wins over Czech Republic (2–0) and the United States (2–1). This saw it advance through to the second round, where it lost 3–0 to Brazil.

Under head coach Milovan Rajevac, the Black Stars went on to secure a 100% win record in its qualification campaign, winning its group and becoming the first African team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In the final tournament, it was placed in Group D with Germany, Serbia and Australia, advancing to the round of 16 after finishing second in their group. Ghana played the United States, winning 2–1 in extra time to become only the third African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, before losing to Uruguay in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals, after Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez blocked a header with his hand in the penalty box in extra time and was sent off. Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty given for the handball, with the score 1–1. Ghana went on to lose the penalty shootout 4–2.

In 2013, Ghana became the first team to reach four consecutive African Cup of Nations semi-finals twice, with the first occasion between 1963 and 1970.

The Black Stars won their second round group of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, and defeated Egypt 7–3 on aggregate in a two-legged play-off, qualifying for the finals. It was drawn in Group G for the finals, where it faced Germany, Portugal, and the USA. It exited in the group stage recording one draw against eventual champions Germany and two losses, and was the only team to not lose to Germany in the tournament, and the only team to hold onto a lead against the Germans at any point.

In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana reached the final, being denied the title on penalties against Ivory Coast. While its 2017 Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended in a 4th-place finish, it finished behind Egypt and Uganda in its final group qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

At the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana was eliminated by Tunisia in the round of 16. In 2021, manager Rajevac was brought back, and the Black Stars ended up failing to win any match at the AFCON where it lost 2–3 to debutants the Comoros (know where this is?) to finish bottom of their group, failing to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2006. 

Ghana drew 0–0 in a match against Nigeria and drew 1–1 in Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 World Cup on goal difference. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it lost its first match against Portugal 3–2. Ghana earned a victory in its second match against South Korea by the same scoreline. A victory against Uruguay was required for a spot in the round of 16 in a rematch of the 2010 quarter-final; Ghana instead lost 2–0 and thus finished bottom, while Uruguay was eliminated as well, as a result of South Korea upsetting Portugal. 

Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, for the first time since 2004, as it finished bottom of the group below Angola, Sudan and Nigeria. 

The 2025 World Cup Qualification: in September drew 1-1 away at Chad. Then beat Mali 1-0 at home and the Central African Rep 0-5 away. Next in October beat Comoros 1-0 at home.

2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana 5-0 Chad: Madagascar 0-3 Ghana: Chad v Ghana 1-1: Ghana v Mali 1-1: CAR  v Ghana 0-5: Ghana v Comoros 1-0:

World Cup Ties: 17th June- Toronto: Ghana 1-0 Panama: 23 June- Foxborough: England v Ghana:   27th June- Philadelphia: Croatia v Ghana.

YES IT'S THE FIFA WORLD CUP-HAD YOU NOTICED?

Beginning of the World Cup

Centenario Stadium in the Uruguayan city of Montevideo, stage of the final of the first FIFA World Cup in 1930

Eventually, FIFA made the decision to stage their own international tournament. Heaven knows what took "them" so long to organise! FIFA president Jules Rimet thus set about organizing the inaugural World Cup competition. With Uruguay now a two-time Olympic champion and due to celebrate its centenary of independence in 1930, FIFA named Uruguay as the host country.

The national associations of selected nations were invited to send a team, but the choice of Uruguay as a venue for the competition meant a long and costly trip across the Atlantic Ocean for the European sides at the time of the Great Depression. No European country pledged to send a team until two months before the start of the competition. Rimet eventually persuaded the national teams of Belgium, France, Romania, Hungary and Yugoslavia to make the trip and play the tournament. In total, 13 nations took part – seven from South America, four from Europe, and two from North America.

The first two World Cup matches took place simultaneously and were won by France and the United States who beat Mexico 4–1 and Belgium 3–0, respectively. The first goal in World Cup history was scored by Lucien Laurent of France. Four days later, the first World Cup hat-trick was achieved by Bert Patenaude of the U.S. in the Americans' 3–0 win against Paraguay. In the Final, Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 in front of a crowd of 93,000 people in Montevideo to become the first nation to win the World Cup.

The 1932 Summer Olympics held in Lost Angeles did not include football as part of the programme. FIFA and the IOC also disagreed over the status of amateur players, and so football was dropped from the Games.

The 1934 World Cup was hosted by Italy and was the first World Cup to include a qualification stage. Sixteen teams qualified for the tournament, a number which would be retained until the expansion of the finals tournament in 1982. Uruguay, the titleholders from 1930, still upset about the poor European attendance at their World Cup in 1930, boycotted the 1934 World Cup, the only time the defending champions didn't take part in the next tournament. Bolivia and Paraguay were also absent, allowing Argentina and Brazil to progress to the finals in Italy without having to play any qualifying matches. Egypt became the first African team to compete, but lost to Hungary in the first round. Italy won the tournament, with a 2-1 extra time win over Czechoslovakia, becoming the first European team to do so.

The 1938 World Cup competition was also held in France, much to the consternation of many South Americans, with Uruguay and Argentina boycotting. For the first time, the title holders and the host country were given automatic qualifications. 

Following a play-off match against Latvia, Austria qualified for the tournament, but because of the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938, Austria withdrew from the tournament, with some Austrian players being added to the German team, which was eliminated in the first round by Switzerland. Austria's place was offered to England, but the "snobby" F.A. declined. This left the finals with 15 nations competing. France hosted, but for the first time the hosts did not win the competition, as Italy retained their title, beating Hungary 4-2 in the Final. 

Polish striker Ernest Willimowski became the first player to score four goals in a World Cup game during Poland's 6–5 loss against Brazil; his record was later equalled by other players, but was not bettered until 56 years later in the 1994 World Cup, by Oleg Salenko for Russia against Cameroon when he scored 5.     

                                                                                 

PELE AND JUNE

Bit of a gap then, but I really like spending time doing this and having been away for a few days, I reckon I should keep going just to keep me out of mischief. The Mrs agrees!

Pele scored his first World Cup goal on June 19th 1958, against Wales, and a fraction over 12 years later, on 21st June 1970, he scored his last goal in the World Cup. Coincidence! Worth knowing just in case you need to liven up some chat at the pub. This time, the opposition was Italy in the World Cup Final at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium in front of a 107,412 crowd. Pele scored the first goal in Brazil’s 4-1 victory. 

Brazil	4–1	Italy
Pelé  18' Gérson  66' Jairzinho  71' Carlos Alberto  86'		Boninsegna  37'

With this 1970s, third win after their 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories, Brazil became the world's most successful national football team, surpassing both Italy and Uruguay, who each had two championships. Brazil also earned the right to retain the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. (However, it was stolen in 1983 while on display in Rio de Janeiro and never recovered.) Brazilian coach Mário Zagallo was the first footballer to become World Cup champion as a player (1958, 1962) and a coach, and Pelé ended his World Cup playing career as the first (and so far only) three-time winner.

That victory saw Brazil become the first nation to win the World Cup three times,with Pele the only player to appear in each of those three finals. The hat-trick of victories saw Brazil allowed to keep the original World Cup  – the Jules Rimet trophy – although sadly that was stolen in 1983 and, with no Brazilian equivalent top Pickles the dog (remember him?) it was never recovered and is believed to have been melted down.

On this day (21st June) in 2002,
Michael Owen gave England the lead against Brazil in the World Cup quarter-finals, in Shizuoka in Japan, but goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, (a free-kick from over 40 yards which beat David Seaman)  saw 10-man Brazil into the Semi-finals against Turkey. What might have been!

and in the Final, on June 30th

CHEESEY MOMENTS-you will love this!

June 4th is globally recognised as the United Nations' International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression and is also culturally celebrated as National Cheese Day, honouring the massive historical impact of Childrens' rights (of course we recognise this important remembrance) AND a millennia-old beloved dairy staple! Football clubs and cheese have crossed paths in unexpected ways, ranging from bizarre sponsorships and dairy-themed nicknames to corporate stadium lounges.

Whether you are hosting a watch party or simply want to indulge in some dairy goodness on June 4th, you can combine your love for cheese and football with a few festive ideas:

Several famous football clubs are located in renowned cheese-producing regions worldwide. 

• Cheddar AFC (Somerset, UK): Based in the village of Cheddar—the actual birthplace of Cheddar cheese—this 131-year-old club competes in the Western League Division One. They are famously nicknamed "The Cheesemen" and gained attention for a sponsorship deal with Violife vegan cheese.
• Stilton United FC is an English grassroots football club based in the village of Stilton, Cambridgeshire. The club competes in the Peterborough & District Football League (PDFL), playing their home matches at the Stilton Pavilion!
  Quick Stilton Utd Facts....JUST FOR FUN!
  • Leagues: The club features a first team in the lower PDFL divisions and a Veterans team in the Veterans Premier Division.
  • Colours: Red and black (home), blue and white (alternate).
  • Management: The club is currently actively seeking new personnel to fill their first-team manager role for the upcoming season. 
  Community & News
  • Senior Side: The club consistently recruits players to strengthen their squad and organizes regular friendlies. 
  • Youth System: The club also operates the Stilton United Colts, running various youth teams (such as the U15s and U16s) in the local area. 
  • Socials: You can check out their latest fixtures, matchday updates, and recruitment drives by following the official Stilton United FC X Feed or joining the SUFC Facebook Group.
  If you are looking to get involved as a player, coach, or volunteer, we can help you find the correct contact details for the club's representatives. We can look into trial information or training times, you don't have to love cheese.....also
• Club Facts
• Stilton United FC (Cambridgeshire, UK): Playing in the Peterborough & District Football League, this club represents the village famous for its blue Stilton cheese. Their home matches are hosted at the Stilton Pavilion.
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• Wensleydale Creamery League (North Yorkshire, UK): While there isn't a single massive club, the Wensleydale region is so intertwined with football that it hosts its own Wensleydale Cremery Football League.  featuring local village teams like Hawes United, Leyburn United, and Carperby Rovers.
• Parma Calcio 1913 (Parma, Italy): Located in Emilia-Romagna, the home of world-famous Parmigiano Reggiano, this professional club competes in Italy's top-tier. They play their home matches at the 27,906-capacity Ennio Tardini Stadium. You know what Calcio means, don't you!
  
  
  
• Green Bay Packers (Wisconsin, USA): If you are interested in American football, (sorry, we have to include this!!) the NFL’s Packers are based in the US dairy capital. Fans famously don foam "Cheesehead" wedges, an item of fan gear, created by a company that the Packers bought in 2023.....

GRETNA GREEN-GOOD FOR MARRIAGE BUT NOT SO FOR FOOTY.

June 3rd 2008 saw the resignation of Gretna FC from the Scottish League. Founded in the 19th Century, as Gretna Green FC, they played local leagues. The club then was reformed in 1946 by local servicemen after the war, The Anvils played in the English "amateur" leagues originally, like the Carlisle and District League, the Northern League Div 2 and the Northern Premier League.

In the 1990s they played in the English FA Cup, the only Scottish club to achieve this since Queen's Park in 1887.

They were playing in the English Northern League in 2001/2 and then applied and were accepted into the Scottish League, replacing Airdrieonians. In 2007/8 they had been to the Scottish Cup Final (June 3rd), losing on a penalty shoot out to Hearts. They played in the UEFA Cup as a result.

It then all went downhill with not much money, the club still playing at Raydale Park. Their financier pulled out with ill health also and the club went into administration, coming bottom of the SPL attracting crowds of only 450. The club was demoted to the 4th Tier in Scotland and went into liquidation, resigning from the Scottish League, reforming in the East of Scotland FL in July under the new name of Gretna 2008.

The National League Paper contained a letter from a chap in Topsham, Devon, who was concerned that Berwick Rangers FC (founded 1884) had dropped below the Scottish League Division Two, into the Lowland League. Before their relegation, the Borderers were the only England club to play in the Scottish Professional Football League.  He wrote that there was a possibility of Gateshead collapsing, allowing Berwick Rangers to join the English National League North, geographically a reasonable suggestion, Berwick-on-Tweed of course, being in England. Why not Gretna!!

Following  this season's Play-offs in Scotland, Cove Rangers from the Highland League won promotion to the Scottish League defeating Berwick Rangers, from the Lowland Football League, 7-0 over two legs, gaining promotion to the Third Division. The story is, the paper felt, that the Scottish pyramid is gaining in strength; 7-0?? maybe bits of it?

Meanwhile by in England, in 1950 the Football League was expanded to 92 clubs from 88. Two clubs joined each of the regionalised Third Divisions; South: Colchester and Gillingham and North: Scunthorpe and Lindsey Utd and Shrewsbury Town. They played each other on the first day of the new season each game ending 0-0. All four remain in the FL!!

Gretna

Full name	Gretna Football Club
Nicknames	Black and Whites; Anvils
Founded	1946; 80 years ago
Dissolved	2008; 18 years ago!!
Ground	Raydale Park
Capacity	3,000
2007–08	Scottish P.L., 12th (relegated)
Home colours Away colours

Gretna Football Club was a Scottish club based in the town of Gretna, Dumfries AND Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland. The club last competed in the Scottish Premier League, the then top flight of Scottish Football. Nicknamed the Black and Whites or the Anvils, the club was founded in 1946, and enjoyed rapid and continual success in the mid-2000s, reaching the Scottish Cup Final in 2006. However, the club fell into severe financial difficulties when its main financial backer, businessman Brooks Mileson, withdrew funds due to ill health, leading the club to dissolve in 2008.

Despite being based in Scotland, the club participated in amateur and semi-professional leagues in English football from 1947 until they were elected to the Scottish Football League at the third attempt in 2002. Relying heavily on substantial financial support from Mileson, the club were promoted through the Scottish leagues from the Third Division to the Scottish Premier League in less than five years. 

Gretna qualified for a UEFA club competition on one occasion, in 2006, Gretna reached the final of the Scottish Cup whilst competing in the Scottish Second Division and were beaten by Heart of Midlothian. The winner of the Scottish would normally qualify for the UEFA Cup, but because Hearts had already qualified for the UEFA Champions League, through their league ranking in the Scottish Premier League, the place was passed to Gretna as runners-up!! They were eliminated in the Second Qualifying Round by Derry County, representing the Republic of Ireland, in a two-legged tie.

Gretna struggled badly in the Scottish League and the club were placed in administration after Mileson withdrew his support due to illness. At the end of the season, all of the club's staff were made redundant and the club was initially relegated to the Third Division due to its inability to guarantee fulfilment of their future fixtures. After this demotion, the one remaining offer to buy the club was withdrawn. The club resigned its place in the Scottish Football League on 3 June 2008 and was formally liquidated on 8 August. With no ground, staff, players or a competition to play in, the club's dissolution was inevitable and the club was formally liquidated by the administrators on 8 August 2008.

Near neighbours Annan Athletic won the vote to replace Gretna in the Scottish League. 

The club's Supporters's Trust then decided to establish a new club, Gretna 2008, who were accepted into the East of Scotland F.L. on 2nd July 2008. Whilst sharing the same fanbase and a similar name, the new club has no legal connection with the original Gretna Football Club. The club initially played their matches at the Everholm Stadium, Annan. The club returned to Raydale Park in May 2009 which it now leases from the Raydale Partnership, a community group of which Gretna Supporters' Society is a member.